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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dying woman allowed to keep medical equipment, but care will be cut

This is a story that demonstrates the need to self-advocate. Home First is a program that helps a family take a loved one home from hospital with extra support services, and more care, to relieve the bed shortages in hospital. It is not a long-term solution, as stakeholders simply refuse to have increase taxes for more services. Or is it that politicians refuse to step up and do what is necessary to support those in need of extreme medical care?

My friend, Kay, in LTC.
My granddaughter loaned me Princess Ducky!

Many use the pejorative term Bed Blockers, as if an Ontario senior isn't entitled to be in hospital. The proper term is Alternate Level of Care. They could manage in long-term care, but many do not want to go there, despite many excellent institutions in Ontario. Many seniors are determined to live out their days in their own homes, despite the ability to manage their social, emotional, physical, and medical needs alone, or even with familial help.

Doris Landry, the 84-year-old who outlived funding for the “Home First” program, will keep the medical equipment, but will not receive the same amount of care from personal support workers.

On Sunday, the Star highlighted the story of Landry, a woman who was given a life expectancy of one or two months when she was discharged from hospital into the “Home First” programming offered by the Central CCAC and Central LHIN. Landry had been given medical equipment and eight hours of daily care from a personal support worker in her niece’s home.

Landry has continued to live beyond the 90-day program maximum. At-home care was cut to three hours a day, and last week there was uncertainty regarding whether the family would be allowed to keep the medical equipment: a bed, wheelchair, lift and oxygen supply. The CCAC had earlier told the Star that the only equipment that might be removed was the equipment not in use. The family told the Star they use all the equipment.

Ontario health care:How much does it cost?

According to the Ministry of Health, average costs of providing care are as follows:

Universal Heatlhcare

"Illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay nor an offence for which people should be penalised. but a misfortune. The cost of which should be shared by the commmunity. " ~Aneuryn Bevan. Founder of the NHS

"I felt that no boy should have to depend either for his leg or his life upon the ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside."

Take care of yourself

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Jennifer Jilks: Senior's Advocate

This site is for information only, and should be used to help you navigate healthcare and finding more health information. The best source of medical information is your family physician or pharmacist.